M.I.T.P.B. Elects Officers
Billings: The Montana Inter Tribal Policy Board has elected Tribal Councilman Thomas E. Pablo as the Chairman of the Board. The election of officers was held June 8, at their biennial election meeting.
The Board has also selected Leonard Boxer as 1st Vice-Chariman; Ivan Raining Bird, 2nd Vice-oChairman ; and Phillip Beaumont, Sr., as Secre-
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tary-Treasurer. Boxer is from Ft. Peck Reservation; Raining Bird of the Rocky Boy Res.; and Beaumont a delegate from the Crow Res.
In Pablo's acceptance speech, he advocated a policy action with Tribal unity and good ad • ministration. He further stated that good ad -ministration requires a-lot of time and effort.
Should he find he cannot devote the time necessary, he stated that he would step down.
Others in attendence representing the Flathead Reservation were Councilman Sonny Mor-igeau and Tribal Secretary Fred Houle.
The MITPB is an intertribal organization made up of delegates from 7 Montana Indian tribes, and the Chartered Land-
NEW MOON OF THE SERVICEBERRY
less Indians. The pur -pose of the Board is to promote the common welfare of the Indians of Montana by seeking the State or Federal legislation and administration action favorable to Indians and reservations.
The Board has been under going a change in its functions, and is currently reviewing its priorities and goals for the future.
JULY 1, 1976
[NEWSPAPER OF THE SALISH, PEND D'ORIELLES AND KOOTENAI TRIBES ^Si [OF THE FLATHEAD RESERVATION
Mission Valley Miracle
Dixon: Representatives of the(M VM ) Mission Valley Miracle fund raising organization, told the Tribal Council at a recent meeting, that the St. Lukes Hospital, in Ronan, treats more Indian patients than any hospital in the area.
The group is seeking more funding for the nursing home wing to be added to the current facility.
Nancy Brown, who has worked at Indian Public Health Service for eight years, told the Council that many Tribal members must go to State and out of state facilities, away from family or friends, in order to get necessary care. One permanently disabled member was only 22 years old.
The group emphasized that the facility would be non-profit, and that the nursing home patients would be visited by a doctor daily. It was pointed out that in other nursing homes doctors are only required to see a patient once in two weeks.
The hospital hopes to avoid the high interest costs of a loan. They have, so far, shied away from federal funding, because of accompanying restrictions, with extra costs, which are not designed for small hospitals, and practically nullify any benefit. It was also pointed out that the facility was one which provided medical attention for those patients who need it, and this does not compete with non-medical facilities.
The Council stated they were generally in favor of some sort of contribution and would discuss it at the next executive session as to where to obtain funds and how much to contribute.
MEMBERS SAY NO TO COMPLEX
Dixon: The unofficial results of Saturday's Tribal referendum e-lection shows the proposed complex headquarters defeated by a 40 vote margin. Early results released are 326 No, to 284 Yes. There are 32 absentee ballots to be counted. Official results will be released on Tuesday, June 29,
QUARTERLY MEETING
Dixon: The Tribal Council will hold a Quarlerly meeting July 2, in gymnasiumat the Dixon Agency. All tribal members are asked toat-tend. The agenda for the meeting will include a question and answer session on the Tribes new fiscal year 15 month budget. Discussion of the results of the referendum election will also take place this Friday.
If you have a matter to be placed on the meeting agenda, contact Tribal Secretary Fred Houle at 246-3595.
The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m.
after the Tribal Election Committee validates and counts all ballots.
E.D.A. Project Planner, Johnny Newman declined to comment on grant funds until official results are released.
The Tribal Council stated prior to the election, that pending a No vote of the members, they would release the construction contractor, Stewart & Janes, Inc., from any and all bid agreements; the E.D.A. grant of $555,000, would be returned; and the revenue sharing and LEAA grant of $246,000 would be reviewed to see if they could be utilized for a Law & Order Jail facility at a future date.
The results of the election will be discussed at the Quarterly Tribal Council meeting this Friday.
No further information was available at Press time.
Remember the Arlee Pow Wow and Rodeo this week, July 1 thru July 5. Pow wow every day, Rodeo is Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.